Federal Litigation Practice

Information Introduction

LAW9200
Section 1, Spring 25

Schedule Information

Enrollment: 15/16
Credits: 3
Days Time Room Start Date End Date

Wed

1800-2000 WB114 01/22/2025 04/23/2025

Course Description

With the decline in jury trials, the focus of civil litigation is shifting to dispositive motions and appeals. This course will provide practical, skills-based guidance in these areas for students who plan to engage in high-level litigation. It seeks to complement the law school’s robust trial advocacy curriculum by focusing on the litigation that takes place both before and after trial, and how every step in a case’s lifespan affects the ultimate outcome of the case. The course will cover most key steps in the federal pretrial/posttrial process, including the pleading, discovery, summary judgment, and appeal phases. It will explore how decisions made throughout a case impact both pretrial dispositive briefs and appeals, and how the purpose and audience of a brief may impact how it is written. Throughout the semester, students will be assigned to brief discrete portions of dispositive motions (i.e. motion to dismiss, motion for summary judgment), other critical motions (e.g. motion to compel, motion in limine), and an appellate brief. They will receive detailed, personalized feedback on their writing. Students will also prepare and deliver two oral arguments, and will again receive individualized feedback. Course readings will focus on functional guidance for (and often from) practicing lawyers. They will be supplemented by examples of outstanding briefs, motions, and oral arguments from some of the best lawyers and judges practicing today. From time to time throughout the semester, lawyers and judges will be invited to join the class to share their experiences and advice with the students. Grades will be primarily based on class participation along with litigation exercises and written work product.

Course Requirements

Exam Information

Final Type (if any): None

Description: None

Written Work Product

In addition to in-class work and out-of-class preparation, students will be required to submit one brief and a short memo (all directly to instructors via email, not via EXPO).

Other Work

Grades will be primarily based on class participation along with litigation exercises and written work product.

Other Course Details

Prerequisites: Because the credits in this course count toward the JD Program Professional Skills requirement, JD candidates will be given enrollment priority for this class. Concurrencies: None

Exclusive With: None

Laptops Allowed: Yes

First Day Attendance Required: Yes

Course Resources: To be announced.

Graduation Requirements

Satisfies Understanding Bias/Racism/Cross-Cultural Competency requirement: No

Satisfies Writing Requirement: No

Credits For Prof. Skills Requirement: Yes

Satisfies Professional Ethics: No

Additional Course Information

Schedule No.: 125210046

Modified Type: Simulation

Cross Listed: No

Waitlist Count: 0

Concentrations: Litigation and Procedure

Evaluation Portal Via LawWeb Opens: Tuesday, April 15, 12:01 AM

Evaluation Portal Via LawWeb Closes: Sunday, April 27, 11:59 PM

Information reflected on this page was last refreshed at: Friday, December 13, 2024 - 7:04 AM *

*During open enrollment periods, live enrollment data may be found in SIS.